Match Preview

Having not played for a month, the U18s were grateful to get back to match action.

Playing on a ski-slope of a pitch the girls got off to an excellent start with Erica Luis heading home from Katie Elliott's pinpoint corner within the first 5 minutes. Without goal line technology, the ref took what seemed liked an age to confirm the ball had crossed the line. The Ducks, playing down the slope, dominated the first half playing their trade mark slick football but they were unable to breach the resilient Crendon defence again. Julia Rushmere was dangerous in the final third and linked up well with both Erica and Yasmina Bugel. Katie, Yasmina and Lauren Barnett all worked really hard up and down the flanks providing some excellent service for the forwards. The central midfield of Isabel Browne and Elizabeth Levitt protected the defence well and their distribution was excellent. In the centre of defence, both Sophie Dennington and Emily Osgerby continued their brilliant partnership to keep the Crendon forwards at bay supported by Keely McLeod and Roxsana Kulczynska.

Despite such a good all round team performance, a one goal lead at half time didn't seem enough and so it proved.

The second half was much more even with Crendon launching long balls for their speedy forwards to chase down the slope. To begin with the Aylesbury girls dealt well with them and Ellie Cole made some excellent saves in goal. Jess Potts and Anne-Marie McArdle, on her debut, also put in a good shift. Aylesbury doubled their lead with a cool finish from Julia Rushmere and it seemed the match was won. However, Crendon continued to send the long balls forward and a good finish from a corner and a goal on the break brought the scores level. Aylesbury pressed hard for a winner but were unable to break through.

Emily Osgerby was voted player of the match by the Crendon girls.